Actress and singer returns to the stage alongside Eduardo Sterblitch and a large cast in a São Paulo production of a musical adapted from Tim Burton’s work: “it’s making fun of yourself”
Thais Pizza is back on stage – and once again at the helm of a celebrated musical. After shining as Vivian Ward in the production of A beautiful womanthe singer and actress now plays Barbara in Beetlejuice, The Musicalwhich premiered in São Paulo on the 21st.
Brazilian adaptation of the production of the Broadway show, Beetlejuice, The Musical arrives in São Paulo after a successful season in Rio de Janeiro. Here, it maintains part of the structure and cast, notably Eduardo Sterblitch in the title role. With direction from Tadeu Aguiar and general production of Renata Borges Pimentathe play has been drawing praise for the very Brazilian humor with which it adapts the classic story of the film Tim Burton: “The play was completely adapted for the Brazilian audience, we play with accents, well-known jokes, names, people and situations.”
“Unlike a musical that comes, as we joke, ‘canned’, in this one we could adapt everything. It brought together Edu’s genius [Sterblitch]with the genius of Tadeu [Aguiar] and a team where we have incredible actors, like my scene partner, Marcelo Laham – perfect! Goal! Goal from Brazil… Box office record.”
For Thais, the invitation to join the cast of the São Paulo production came as a welcome challenge, materialized in less than a month of preparation to go on stage as Barbara – a character immortalized by Geena Davis in the 1988 film adaptation.
“It was a happiness mixed with madness to accept the invitation to play Barbara here in São Paulo because the play was ready, that is, I had a week to learn what the cast built in two months”, says the actress.
Her character is part of a recently deceased couple, who become ghosts trapped in their old home. With the arrival of new residents, she and her husband (Adam, played by Marcelo Laham) must learn how to scare their new tenants – and they do so with Beetlejuice. A Rolling Stone BrazilPiza admits to having to hold back laughter at times – notably in scenes with Eduardo Sterblitch’s Beetlejuice and João Telleswhich has more freedom on stage:
“The acid jokes are more on the shoulders of Edu and João, who is Beetlejuice’s alternate. We follow the text more, because we ‘don’t see’ the audience like Beetlejuice. And man, that’s what comedy is, it’s making fun of yourself, it’s laughter at any cost.”
Beetlejuice, The Musicalhas production from Touché Entertainment, a cast of 26 people and more than 100 professionals involved in the production. The show is on display at Freedom Theater in São Paulo until April 21st. Tickets are on sale through Sympla.
Read the full interview with Thais Piza below
Rolling Stone Brasil: You get closer to Beetlejuice after a praised season in A beautiful woman. How did the opportunity arise and how much time did you have to prepare between the two jobs?
Thais Pizza: I received the invitation from Renata Borges less than a month after the end of A beautiful woman and with about a month and a half left until the São Paulo premiere. I am extremely grateful for having brought Vivian to life in Brazil and I believe that she was a turning point in my career, but since I found out that Beetlejuice When I came to Brazil, I freaked out. I saw the play in New York and was ecstatic. It was a joy in a mix of madness to accept the invitation to play Barbara here in São Paulo because the play was ready, that is, I had a week to learn what the cast built in two months. But this cast is so generous, such a partner, Tadeu Aguiar is such an incredible director too, that putting everything together ended up being as easy as possible. [risos]… Now I’m having so much fun on stage. I always comment that it was my most accurate yes.
Rolling Stone Brasil: In the show, you play Barbara, a famous role played by Geena Davis. What characteristics do you bring to the role and in what ways does this popular interpretation of cinema influence you?
Thais Pizza: Just as there was a lot of talk about Julia Roberts in A beautiful woman, now we’re talking about Geena Davis. And the answer is very similar, but different: Beetlejuice is a super comedy! Ed [Sterblitch] He is a genius from whom I learn every day, he has become a very dear friend and as he himself said “If Wicked and the Juliette of musicals we are the Gil do Vigor”. The play was completely adapted for the Brazilian audience, we play with accents, well-known jokes, names, people and situations. The starting point, as in A beautiful woman, will always be the film followed by the Broadway adaptation, but then palm oil comes in, Brazilianness. As I said: I’m not Julia Roberts, but I played my Vivian. And I repeat: I’m not Geena Davis, but I’m playing my Barbara.
Rolling Stone Brasil: Since you talked about palm oil, national influences, is there room to bring some reference or inspiration from our dramaturgy in a script as rigid as that of a musical? Did you consider any when putting together your paper?
Thais Pizza: I considered a friend who has Barbara’s characteristics [risos]. When building a character, I always like to imagine who she could be in real life. And yes! Yes awesome! There are a lot of references to Brazilian things. Unlike a musical that comes, as we joke, “canned”, like a Les Mis or one Phantom of the Opera of life, in this one we had to adapt everything. It combined Edu’s genius with Tadeu’s genius and a team where we have incredible actors, like my scene partner, Marcelo Laham – perfect! Goal! Goal from Brazil… Box office record.
Rolling Stone Brazil: Beetlejuice navigates through a playful universe while experiencing a certain freedom, especially in the use of acidic humor. How does this musical montage explore these aspects?
Thais Pizza: I love doing comedy. I love Tim Burton. Put it all together, mix it up, add Brazil, a cast of beasts, exquisite direction, and it’s successful. The acid jokes are mostly on the shoulders of Edu and João, who is Beetlejuice’s alternate. We follow the text more, because we “don’t see” the audience like Beetlejuice. And man, that’s what comedy is, it’s making fun of yourself, it’s laughter at any cost. Our play is one where you leave your problems at home and come to the theater with one intention, which is to have fun.
Rolling Stone Brasil: How has your experience with the cast been?
Thais Pizza: I’ll be brief: I think that, to this day, this cast is in the “top 3 best casts” I’ve ever worked with. It’s a lot of laughter, a lot of affection, a lot of fun and a lot of professionalism. It’s a different class each session.
Rolling Stone Brasil: Any favorite or surprising scenes you want to highlight?
Thais Pizza: I have two! There’s a scene where I always need to control myself not to laugh, which is Edu with me and Laham in the attic, Beetlejuice teaching the two silly ghosts how to scare. And the other is our duet called “Barbara 2.0” – where my character “stops being stupid” and sings a song in the best Broadway style with very high notes – thank you Rafael Villar, my singing teacher. I’ve been waiting anxiously since the beginning to make this delicious number.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
